The Dimensionality of the Maslach Burnout Inventory across Small Business Owners and Educators

James S Boles,Dwane H Dean,Joe M Ricks,Jeremy C Short,Guangping Wang

doi:10.1006/jvbe.1999.1689

Abstract

This study tested the dimensionality of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) by comparing three factor structures (i.e., a one-factor structure, a three-factor structure, and a higher order factor structure) in two diverse samples. The comparison of the LISREL measurement models was extended by a series of measurement invariance tests. Additionally, constructs related to burnout had a pattern of correlations to the three MBI dimensions that was similar across the two samples. In aggregate, the analyses suggested that the three-factor structure of the MBI is the most plausible model. By using a sample of small business owners, the current research contributed to existing knowledge on the MBI by establishing the dimensionality and generalizability of the MBI beyond human service occupations.

Highlights

Article: Job-related burnout may lead to physical and emotional illness, increased job turnover, absenteeism, and reduced productivity (e.g., Cordes & Dougherty, 1993)
The conceptual development of the burnout construct, as well as the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) scale, has been based primarily on studies of participants in the human service occupations. Because individuals in these occupations tend to have relatively higher levels of contact with people than do workers in other types of employment (Perlman & Hartman, 1982; Cordes & Dougherty, 1993), the MBI may not be generalizable to types of employment other than human service occupations. To accomplish these two goals, we first review the relevant literature on the burnout concept, the factor structure of the MBI, and the relationships between the MBI dimensions and some stress variables associated with burnout in previous research
We develop two hypotheses related to the MBI factor structure and the correlation patterns of the MBI dimensions with other variables

Summary

Introduction

Article: Job-related burnout may lead to physical and emotional illness, increased job turnover, absenteeism, and reduced productivity (e.g., Cordes & Dougherty, 1993). Because individuals in these occupations tend to have relatively higher levels of contact with people (clients) than do workers in other types of employment (Perlman & Hartman, 1982; Cordes & Dougherty, 1993), the MBI may not be generalizable to types of employment other than human service occupations To accomplish these two goals, we first review the relevant literature on the burnout concept, the factor structure of the MBI, and the relationships between the MBI dimensions and some stress variables associated with burnout in previous research. We discuss our findings, study limitations, and future research directions

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion